A Message from UTSA President Ricardo Romo, September 2014
September 30, 2014
Dear Friends,
Each September, I provide our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community supporters with an update on UTSA's march toward Tier One recognition. We have made significant progress in our journey since being designated as an emerging research institution, but there is much more to be done. That is why I am excited to tell you about an announcement I am making at this year's State of the University address.
Today, I am announcing a $40 million initiative that will strengthen our research commitment by bringing 60 new top-tier researchers to UTSA over the next four years. These researchers will join the top-tier faculty that we recruit to UTSA on a regular basis to support academic excellence.
In just the first year, the GoldStar Initiative, as it is known, will recruit experts in advanced materials, open-cloud computing and cybersecurity, big data, biomedicine, social and educational transformation, and sustainable communities. These are areas aligned to San Antonio's economic strengths.
If San Antonio is to remain a leader in a global economy, it must have the high caliber of research that we conduct at UTSA. These researchers will make new discoveries, create new knowledge, and address some of the world's most pressing issues.
Through the GoldStar Initiative, we will also increase our annual research expenditures from $50 million to $75 million in the next five years, then soon after to $100 million, a critical threshold for Tier One designation.
Initially, we will rely on institutional resources to support the hiring of these researchers. We will also pursue funding from the UT System's Science and Technology Acquisition and Retention program to help with start-up costs. But we will continue to count on the generosity of the San Antonio community to support the ongoing work of these scholars.
By investing in UTSA, you help quicken the pace of discovery, create new opportunities for our students, and keep San Antonio at the forefront of innovation.
This is such an exciting time for our university. Thank you for all you do for UTSA.
Go 'Runners!
Ricardo Romo
President
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Events
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.